Which Cyberpunk 2077 Lifepath Is Right For You (& Why)

Summary

• Choosing a specific lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077 doesn’t dramatically impact gameplay or major aspects of the game, but it adds unique flavor to the character with different prologues, dialogue options, and side missions.
• The Nomad lifepath, with its high-octane and disorienting intro sequence, is the most approachable option for newcomers as it offers combat experience and helps players grasp the game’s mechanics.
• The Street Kid lifepath is perhaps the most immersive, creating a smooth transition between V’s backstory and the gameplay that sees them become one of Night City’s most prominent edgerunners.
• The Corpo lifepath, starting at the top of the corporate ladder, provides a more influential and intense experience for veteran players, allowing them to use their knowledge of the business world and manipulate situations to their advantage.

Whether playing through Cyberpunk 2077 for the first or thousandth time, picking the right lifepath is always an important decision. Choosing between the powerful Corpo, the free-spirited Nomad, or the sensible Street Kid doesn’t have any obvious consequences on essential elements, like a character’s stats or skills. However, it has the potential to affect the overall experience in ways that are easy to miss.

Choosing a certain lifepath won’t massively influence the gameplay of Cyberpunk 2077 itself unless the upcoming Phantom Liberty DLC seriously changes things. All three options eventually lead into the same main storyline, and they have no impact on any of the game’s most significant aspects, such as romance options or Cyberpunk 2077‘s various endings. Nonetheless, they each provide unique flavor to a character with different prologues, dialogue options, and side missions – which can be better suited to some players’ preferences over others.

The Nomad Lifepath Is The Most Approachable In Cyberpunk 2077

As a Nomad in Cyberpunk 2077, V grew up in the Badlands, the arid and empty desert surrounding Night City. In the prologue, they are depicted to have originally been a part of a clan – but due to group conflicts, V has abandoned them at the start of the game’s events. Now, they’re hoping for a new beginning in the city. After smuggling contraband across the border with Jackie Welles, V finds themselves a fish out of the water, but they’re eager to make a name for themselves in their new home alongside their partner in crime.

This intro sequence is the most high-octane and disorienting of the three, and for this reason, it’s actually the best option for newcomers just getting into Cyberpunk 2077. As the only prologue with combat, the Nomad lifepath offers a head start on their gun-slinging skills (as well as a peek into the new, hostile environment without any sugarcoating). It might seem counterintuitive to jump directly into the action, but this actually makes it easier to grasp the ropes of Night City more effectively. This comfortable progression of knowledge will feel most natural when picking up the game for the first time.

Moving forward throughout Cyberpunk 2077, V will slowly gain context and learn how to keep their head above the water. Later in the game, Nomads also get exclusive access to the side quest called “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” in which V has a chance to recover the vehicle they abandoned during the prologue. Being able to collect a vehicle in Cyberpunk 2077 for free is hardly grounds for complaint; this extra perk helps make Nomad a great path even for a second or third playthrough of the game.

The Street Kid Lifepath Is The Most Immersive In Cyberpunk 2077

On the other hand, choosing the Street Kid lifepath for V means that they were Night City born and raised. V spent the majority of their life in the slums of the city until they eventually decided to head to Atlanta, in hopes of making a better life for themselves there. However, for reasons unknown, this didn’t quite work out as planned – and in the prologue, they have freshly returned to their hometown, Heywood. After escaping a sticky situation with their newfound accomplice Jackie, they decide to band together on their shared mission to become famous mercenaries in Night City.

Although this lifepath arguably has the least influence on gameplay, it creates the most believable story by far, making it a solid pick for players who enjoy immersive open-world experiences. Because of their upbringing, Street Kid V is extremely familiar with the ins and outs of city life, and thus fits right into the mercenary role they’ve taken on. Many Street-Kid-specific dialogue options reflect this as well, providing additional details and lore about the player’s situation. This makes it easy to learn more about influential figures, the territories and rivalries of the game’s various gangs, and all-around street etiquette.

All three lifepaths eventually lead to V becoming a mercenary and making a name for themselves in Night City. While a Nomad or a Corpo could certainly achieve this, it makes the most sense that someone more experienced with the city would have the most success. Having their character start from the bottom and finally work their way up makes for a feel-good story that might finally get a satisfying conclusion when Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty adds a new ending to the game.

Corpo Lifepath Is The Most Influential In Cyberpunk 2077

The Corpo lifepath conversely starts out with V near the top of the food chain. The prologue depicts V as a corporate shark, working high up on the Arasaka ladder. After a dangerous assignment from their boss turns sour, Corpo V loses their job (almost losing their life in the process, too). With nothing left, they are forced to adapt to their new environment. Longtime friend Jackie is able to help them up on their feet, and they quickly become one of Night City’s very own corp-haters.

While this may initially sound like the most boring set-up of the three, it’s actually the most exhilarating and the best choice for veteran playthroughs. Not only is this entanglement with Cyberpunk 2077‘s Arasaka Corporation immensely entertaining, but this lifepath also maintains that same intensity throughout the rest of Cyberpunk 2077. Despite their downfall as a former Corpo, V still holds an inherent power advantage over most Night City residents. They can use their knowledge of the business world and manipulative interpersonal strategies to identify when they’re being taken advantage of, haggle better rewards for jobs, and even directly influence the way some quests play out.

Perhaps one of the most powerful instances of this is during the “Gimme Danger” quest line. There, Corpo V can speak to a nervous guard outside Arasaka Industrial Park and pretend to be a “counterintel” agent. The use of language only a Corpo would know helps convince the guard to let V waltz into the park, allowing them to completely bypass security without needing any sort of stealth build in Cyberpunk 2077. Making a noticeable difference in how certain situations play out, the Corpo lifepath is a great way to get a different angle than Street Kids or Nomads have.

Cyberpunk 2077‘s lifepaths may not necessarily be game-changers, but they each have defining qualities that make them uniquely appealing. Nomad is the friendliest option for beginners, Street Kid is the most effective for role-playing purposes, and Corpo offers a more unique experience for those who have played the game before. Choosing a lifepath is only the start of the journey to finish Cyberpunk 2077 before Phantom Liberty releases, but this added variability provides yet another layer of immersion in Cyberpunk 2077.

Source: https://screenrant.com/cyberpunk-2077-best-lifepaths-corpo-street-kid-nomad/